U.S. patent number 10,590,996 [Application Number 15/540,475] was granted by the patent office on 2020-03-17 for medical handle with pneumatic safety coupling.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aesculap AG, Rotomed AG. The grantee listed for this patent is Aesculap AG, Rotomed AG. Invention is credited to Edgar Blust, Wolfgang Heine, Simone Hermle, Anette Hildebrand, Frederick Lenzenhuber, Uwe Mattes, Thomas Muller.
United States Patent |
10,590,996 |
Heine , et al. |
March 17, 2020 |
Medical handle with pneumatic safety coupling
Abstract
A medical handle for pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instruments or motor units includes a clutch member for
mechanical and pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding
clutch member and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective
pressurization of a medical instrument coupled thereto or the motor
unit thereof, the valve mechanism being provided with a safety
device for preventing pressurization in the case of an uncoupled
medical instrument or the motor unit thereof. The clutch member
present on the side of the handle is provided to interact with the
valve mechanism such that during or by the mechanical coupling
operation the latter is automatically opened and/or enabled for
manual opening, whereas in the uncoupled state the valve mechanism
is closed and/or enabling is cancelled.
Inventors: |
Heine; Wolfgang (Immendingen,
DE), Blust; Edgar (Konigsfeld, DE), Muller;
Thomas (Bellach, CH), Lenzenhuber; Frederick
(Tuttlingen, DE), Hildebrand; Anette (Brigachtal,
DE), Hermle; Simone (VS-Villingen, DE),
Mattes; Uwe (Tuttlingen, DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aesculap AG
Rotomed AG |
Tuttlingen
Bellach |
N/A
N/A |
DE
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aesculap AG (DE)
Rotomed AG (CH)
|
Family
ID: |
55022498 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/540,475 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2015 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 23, 2015 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2015/081208 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 28, 2017 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2016/107814 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
July 07, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170363157 A1 |
Dec 21, 2017 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 29, 2014 [DE] |
|
|
10 2014 119 679 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D
41/04 (20130101); F16D 28/00 (20130101); B25F
5/02 (20130101); F16D 23/12 (20130101); A61B
17/162 (20130101); F16D 41/061 (20130101); F16D
25/12 (20130101); F16D 41/066 (20130101); A61B
17/1622 (20130101); A61B 2017/00477 (20130101); A61B
2017/00539 (20130101); A61B 2090/0808 (20160201); A61B
2017/00367 (20130101); A61B 2017/0046 (20130101); A61B
2090/0818 (20160201); A61B 2017/00544 (20130101); A61B
17/1628 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16D
28/00 (20060101); F16D 41/04 (20060101); F16D
25/12 (20060101); F16D 41/066 (20060101); F16D
41/061 (20060101); B25F 5/02 (20060101); A61B
17/16 (20060101); F16D 23/12 (20060101); A61B
90/00 (20160101); A61B 17/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
203042385 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
CN |
|
1302282 |
|
Apr 2003 |
|
EP |
|
2532316 |
|
Dec 2012 |
|
EP |
|
Other References
European Examination Report for European Application No.
15816201.6, dated May 24, 2018 with translation, 11 pages. cited by
applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International
Application No. PCT/EP2015/081208, dated Mar. 9, 2016--12 Pages.
cited by applicant .
German Search Report for German Application No. 10 2014 119 679.1,
dated Oct. 14, 2015--13 Pages wtih English Translation. cited by
applicant .
Chinese Office Action for Chinese Application No. 201580071777.X,
dated Aug. 12, 2019 with translation, 17 pages. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hlavka; David J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: RatnerPrestia
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A medical handle for a pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instrument, the medical handle comprising: a clutch member
on a side of the medical handle for mechanical and
pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding clutch member on a
side of the pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical
instrument; and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective
pressurization of the pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical
instrument coupled thereto or the motor unit thereof, which medical
handle is equipped with a safety function for preventing
pressurization when the pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instrument or a motor unit thereof is uncoupled, wherein
the clutch member present on the side of the medical handle
interacts with the valve mechanism such that during or by a
mechanical coupling operation, the valve mechanism is automatically
opened or enabled for manual opening, whereas correspondingly in an
uncoupled state, the valve mechanism is closed or enabling is
correspondingly cancelled, wherein the clutch member on the side of
the medical handle is provided with or interacts with a first valve
device of the valve mechanism, the first valve device being
designed so that it is automatically opened at the latest by/during
pressure-tight locking of the clutch member on the side of the
medical handle, and wherein the clutch member on the side of the
medical handle interacts with a second valve device of the valve
mechanism such that the second valve device is operative for manual
opening and closing only in a state in which the clutch member is
coupled and locked and is inoperative in a state in which the
clutch member is uncoupled.
2. The medical handle according to claim 1, wherein the valve
mechanism includes a manually operable actuator which directly or
indirectly acts on the second valve device for selective opening
thereof, wherein by or upon locking the clutch member on the side
of the medical handle the functioning of the actuator is
automatically brought about and at least by or upon unlocking the
clutch member the actuator is rendered incapable of acting on the
second valve device for selective opening thereof.
3. The medical handle according to claim 2, wherein a manually
operable clutch locking element of the clutch member being movably
supported on the medical handle is operatively connected
mechanically to at least one of the first valve device and the
actuator so that manual operation of the clutch locking element
automatically causes at least one of: (a) the first valve device to
open/close and (b) exerts an appropriate effect on the actuator
such that the actuator is capable/incapable of acting on the second
valve device for selective opening thereof.
4. The medical handle according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is
moved along upon/by unlocking the clutch member by the clutch
locking element so that the operative connection to the second
valve device is disconnected, or in that upon unlocking the clutch
member by the clutch locking element a stop is moved into an
operating path of the actuator.
5. The medical handle according to claim 3, wherein, for the clutch
locking element, a plurality of operating positions are provided
comprising a first operating position as an unlocking position for
uncoupling the medical handle from the instrument/motor unit, a
second operating position as an active locking position for locking
the coupled clutch members while simultaneously opening the first
valve device and putting the second valve device into function, and
a third operating position as a passive locking position for
locking the clutch members while simultaneously opening the first
valve device and putting the second valve device out of
function.
6. The medical handle according to claim 5, wherein the medical
handle comprises a push button or switch in an area of the clutch
locking element upon actuation of which the clutch locking element
is shifted due to axial bias from the second operating position to
the third operating position.
7. The medical handle according to claim 6, wherein the third
operating position is located in an operating path between the
first operating position and the second operating position.
8. A medical instrument system comprising a hydraulically or
pneumatically operated medical instrument or a motor unit thereof
on which a clutch member is arranged for mechanical and
hydraulic/pneumatic coupling to a clutch member on a medical handle
which is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source via a
pneumatic hose, wherein the medical handle comprises the medical
handle of claim 1.
9. The medical instrument system according to claim 8, wherein upon
insertion in a female clutch member, a male clutch member
automatically actuates a stop element for releasing a clutch
locking element for selective manual locking of the female clutch
member when the male clutch member is coupled.
10. A medical handle for a pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instrument, the medical handle comprising: a clutch member
on a side of the medical handle for mechanical and
pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding clutch member on a
side of the pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical
instrument; and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective
pressurization of the pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical
instrument coupled thereto or the motor unit thereof, which medical
handle is equipped with a safety function for preventing
pressurization when the pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instrument or a motor unit thereof is uncoupled, wherein
the clutch member present on the side of the medical handle
interacts with the valve mechanism such that during or by a
mechanical coupling operation, the valve mechanism is automatically
opened or enabled for manual opening, whereas correspondingly in an
uncoupled state, the valve mechanism is closed or enabling is
correspondingly cancelled, wherein the clutch member on the side of
the medical handle interacts with a manually operable valve device
of the valve mechanism such that the valve device is operative for
manual opening and closing only in a state in which the clutch
member is coupled and locked and is inoperative in a state in which
the clutch member is uncoupled.
11. The medical handle according to claim 10, wherein the valve
mechanism includes a manually operable actuator, wherein by or upon
locking the clutch member on the side of the medical handle the
functioning of the actuator is automatically brought about such
that the actuator is capable of acting directly or indirectly on
the valve device for selective opening thereof and at least by or
upon unlocking the clutch member the actuator is put out of
function such that the actuator is incapable of acting on the valve
device for selective opening thereof.
12. The medical handle according to claim 11, wherein a manually
operable clutch locking element of the clutch member being movably
supported on the medical handle is operatively connected
mechanically to the actuator of the valve device so that manual
operation of the clutch locking element exerts an appropriate
effect on the functioning of the actuator such that the actuator is
capable/incapable of acting on the valve device for selective
opening thereof.
13. The medical handle according to claim 12, wherein the actuator
is moved along upon/by unlocking the clutch member by the clutch
locking element to a position in which the operative connection to
the valve device is disconnected, or in that upon unlocking the
clutch member by the clutch locking element a stop is moved into an
operating path of the actuator.
14. A medical handle for a pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instrument, the medical handle comprising: a clutch member
on a side of the medical handle for mechanical and
pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding clutch member on a
side of the pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical
instrument; and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective
pressurization of the pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical
instrument coupled thereto or the motor unit thereof, which medical
handle is equipped with a safety function for preventing
pressurization when the pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instrument or a motor unit thereof is uncoupled, wherein
the clutch member present on the side of the medical handle
interacts with the valve mechanism such that during or by a
mechanical coupling operation, the valve mechanism is automatically
opened or enabled for manual opening, whereas correspondingly in an
uncoupled state, the valve mechanism is closed or enabling is
correspondingly cancelled, wherein the clutch member on the side of
the medical handle is provided with or interacts with a first valve
device of the valve mechanism, the first valve device being
designed so that it is automatically opened at the latest by/during
pressure-tight locking of the clutch member on the side of the
medical handle.
15. The medical handle according to claim 14, wherein a manually
operable clutch locking element of the clutch member being movably
supported on the medical handle is operatively connected
mechanically to the valve device so that manual operation of the
clutch locking element automatically causes the valve device to
open/close.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is the United States national phase of
International Application No. PCT/EP2015/081208, filed Dec. 23,
2015, which is related to and claims the benefit of priority of
German Application No. DE 10 2014 119 679.1, filed Dec. 29, 2014.
The contents of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/081208 and
German Application No. DE 10 2014 119 679.1 are incorporated by
reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD
The present invention relates to a handle of medical instruments
comprising an integrated pneumatic/hydraulic safety clutch.
BACKGROUND
Medical, especially surgical instruments relate, inter alia, to
those instruments that are or can be equipped with motor-driven
tools such as milling tools, drills, screwdrivers etc. The drive,
for example for rotary or lifting motion of the tool, can be
performed by an electric motor, hydraulically or pneumatically.
Especially in the latter case, the instrument is connected to a
compressed air source by means of which for example a turbine
inside the instrument or as a separate motor unit is pressurized
selectively and possibly controlled with compressed air, the
rotation of the turbine then being transmitted directly or
indirectly via a gear unit to the tool.
However, such pneumatically or hydraulically operated instruments
are not permanently tightly connected to the pressurizing medium
source but may arbitrarily be connected to or separated from the
pressurizing medium source. For this purpose, clutches are required
by means of which the instruments can be selectively connected
pneumatically or hydraulically to the pressurizing medium source.
Especially in surgical medicine, high requirements in terms of
safety are made to said clutches so as to exclude injuries of
patients and to facilitate handling of the instruments to the
surgeon.
From the state of the art, medical, preferably surgical instrument
systems comprising a pneumatic tool drive are known, as also the
applicants in the present case have distributed them for years.
Such instrument systems usually include a pressurized medium source
(to simplify matters, hereinafter referred to as pneumatic source)
to which a preferably flexible pressure hose is or can be
connected. At the downstream free end of the pressure hose there is
preferably fixedly (i.e. permanently) mounted an operating handle
configured as an actuating and/or control unit in the form of a
handle at the distal free end of which in turn a clutch for a
medical/surgical instrument is configured. The clutch takes over
the mechanical connection between the handle and the selected
instrument and, at the same time, the pneumatic connection of a
pneumatic motor (e.g. turbine), which is internal to the instrument
or separate, to a pneumatic actuating and/or control unit which is
internal to the handle.
The actuating and/or control unit is composed of a manually
operable actuator preferably in the form of an actuating lever
pivoted on the handle and/or at least one press button, wherein the
actuator mechanically acts directly or indirectly in a
pneumatically/hydraulically pilot-controlled manner upon a
regulating/control valve mechanism inside the handle which
mechanism releases or inhibits a pneumatic connection to the
instrument in response to the current actuating state. The release
may be performed either according to the on-off principle or in a
dosed manner corresponding to the degree of actuation of the
actuator.
Since usually the handle is already connected to the pneumatic
source and thus is pressurized before a selected instrument is
coupled to the handle, there is basically the risk of the actuator
being inadvertently actuated and, thus, of compressed air being
allowed to escape in an uncontrolled manner. Moreover, there may
arise the problem that, when the actuator is inadvertently
actuated, the currently selected instrument is coupled which then
is pressurized with compressed air and thus driven in an
uncontrolled and inadvertent manner.
Therefore, in the known prior art at/within the handle a separate
pneumatic safety lock is provided which after coupling the
instrument and, resp., an upstream motor to the handle (and thus to
the pressure hose--compressed air is applied) has to be manually
enabled so as to release the function of the actuator. Such
pneumatic safety lock may be, for example, an actuator latch which
can be actuated by means of a slide supported on the preferably
lever-shaped actuator so as to lock and/or unlock the actuator.
Although the afore-mentioned drawbacks and risks can be avoided by
said additional pneumatic safety lock, handling of the instrument
during surgical operation may possibly be complicated.
SUMMARY
In view of the afore-described state of the art, it is the general
object of the present invention to further develop the
afore-described medical handle (including the technical features
already mentioned in this context) as well as the medical
instrument system comprising the handle and the instrument and/or
the drive motor unit for the instrument such that in this way high
functional and/or operational safety is guaranteed without the
handling being unduly impeded.
A clutch composed of a male part, preferably on the side of the
surgical instrument and, resp., the motor unit, and a female part,
preferably on the side of the handle, interacts in the area of the
handle with the valve mechanism or, resp., regulating/control valve
mechanism inside the handle which is (automatically/forcedly)
opened during or by the mechanical coupling operation itself and/or
is enabled for (manual) opening, whereas in the uncoupled state the
valve mechanism or, resp., regulating/control valve mechanism is
closed and/or enabling is cancelled. In this way, the arrangement
of a pneumatic safety lock which has to be separately actuated is
unnecessary and handling is facilitated. At the same time, the
functional and/or operational safety is improved.
The afore-mentioned aspects can be technically materialized by two
measures which can be provided each individually or in combination
inside the handle.
As a first measure, the (female) clutch member on the side of the
handle can be provided with and, resp., operatively connected to a
first valve device of the valve mechanism or, resp.,
regulating/control valve mechanism which valve device is designed
so that it is forcedly opened by/during pressure-tight locking of
the clutch at the latest (via a first motion transmission train).
As a second additional or alternative measure, the (female) clutch
member on the side of the handle can interact with a second
manually operable valve device of the valve mechanism or, resp.,
regulating/control valve mechanism of the handle (via a second
motion transmission train) in such manner that the second valve
device is functioning in the coupled and preferably locked state
only and is not functioning in the uncoupled state (with the
instrument/motor unit being removed) and therefore cannot be
manually opened any longer.
The latter preferably can be achieved by the fact that proper
functioning of the preferably lever-shaped actuator is
simultaneously (forcedly/automatically) established especially
by/upon locking the clutch on the side of the handle and, resp.,
the actuator is (forcedly/automatically) put out of function by
unlocking the clutch and/or uncoupling the instrument/motor
unit.
A simple constructional solution of the two afore-mentioned
measures basically provides to operatively connect a manually
operable clutch locking element movably supported on the handle
(mechanically via the first motion transmission train) to the first
valve device and/or (mechanically via the second motion
transmission train) to the actuator of the second valve device so
that manual operation of the clutch locking element automatically
causes the first valve device to open/close and, resp., exerts a
corresponding effect on the functioning of the actuator, for
example by moving the actuator to a position in which the operative
connection to a valve is interrupted or established, resp., or a
(mechanical) latch is moved into or out of the actuating path of
the actuator.
The first motion transmission train may include, for example, an
axially displaceable actuating pin which can be actuated by the
clutch locking element and toggles the first valve device between
its open and closed positions in response to the actuating
situation of the clutch locking element. The second motion
transmission train may be, for example, an axially displaceable
sleeve or push rod which is mechanically coupled to the support of
the actuator and in this way axially displaces the support of the
actuator in response to the actuating situation of the clutch
locking element.
This constructional configuration additionally offers the option to
equip the clutch locking element with plural (axial) actuating
positions, for example a first actuating position (unlocking
position) for uncoupling the handle and the instrument/motor unit,
a second actuating position (active locking position) for locking
the clutch while simultaneously opening the first valve device and
putting the second valve device into function and a third actuating
position (passive locking position) for locking the clutch while
simultaneously opening the first valve device and putting the
second valve device out of function. Providing the third actuating
position in turn offers the possibility of arranging sort of an
emergency stop switch during actuation of which the clutch locking
element is preferably automatically (due to proper bias) shifted to
the third actuating position (which is preferably located in the
actuating path between the first and second actuating
positions).
The clutch locking element preferably may be a cap sleeve which in
the locking position radially encompasses clutch-side engaging or
clamping elements and fixes the latter in the locked position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Hereinafter the invention will be explained in detail by way of a
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying Figures,
wherein:
FIG. 1a shows the side view of a medical/surgical instrument system
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, especially of
a medical handle comprising an actuating element/actuator and an
integrated regulating/control mechanism as well as of a surgical
instrument and, resp., a motor unit thereof in the unlocked and
uncoupled state according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
FIG. 1b shows the top view of the handle according to FIG. 1a,
FIG. 2 shows the longitudinal sectional view of the
medical/surgical instrument system according to FIG. 1a,
FIG. 3a shows an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of an
unlocked and uncoupled clutch for fluidic and simultaneously
mechanical coupling of the handle and the instrument/motor
unit,
FIG. 3b shows another enlarged longitudinal sectional view of an
unlocked and uncoupled clutch for fluidic and simultaneously
mechanical coupling of the handle and the instrument/motor
unit,
FIG. 4 shows the longitudinal sectional view of the
medical/surgical instrument system according to FIG. 1a in the
coupled and locked state with the first valve device being opened
and the second valve device being put into function,
FIG. 5a shows an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the
coupled and locked clutch for fluidic and simultaneously mechanical
coupling of the handle to the instrument/motor unit according to
FIG. 4,
FIG. 5b shows another enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the
coupled and locked clutch for fluidic and simultaneously mechanical
coupling of the handle to the instrument/motor unit according to
FIG. 4,
FIG. 6 shows an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view
especially of the handle when the clutch is coupled and locked with
the first valve device being opened and the second valve device
being put into function,
FIG. 7 shows an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view
especially of the handle when the clutch is coupled and locked with
the first valve device being opened and the second valve device
being put out of function (3.sup.rd actuating position and, resp.,
emergency stop position), and
FIG. 8 shows the medical/surgical instrument system comprising all
required elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2 and 8, a medical/surgical
instrument system generally comprises a medical instrument 1 either
having an internal hydraulic/pneumatic motor or having an
external/separate motor unit of the hydraulic/pneumatic design 2
and a medical handle 4 for pneumatically or hydraulically driven
medical instruments or motor units. The handle 4 comprises at its
distal end a preferably female clutch member 6 for mechanical and
pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding preferably male
clutch member 8 on the side of the instrument 1 or of the upstream
motor unit 2 and an internal manually operable valve mechanism or,
resp., regulating/control valve mechanism 10 for selective
pressurization of the medical instrument 1 coupled thereto or the
upstream motor unit 2 thereof. The valve mechanism 10 inter alia
includes a safety device or safety function for preventing
pressurization, if the medical instrument 1 or the motor unit 2
thereof is unlocked and/or uncoupled.
The (female) clutch member 6 provided on the side of the handle 4
is designed so that it (mechanically) interacts with the valve
mechanism 10 such that, during or by the mechanical coupling
operation especially during or by locking the already coupled
coupling member 6 by means of a manually operable clutch locking
element 12, said valve mechanism is automatically/forcedly opened
and/or enabled for (subsequent) manual opening, whereas in the
unlocked and/or uncoupled state the valve mechanism 10 is closed
and/or enabling is cancelled.
At this point, the technical terms used so far shall be defined as
follows:
The medical/surgical instrument 1 relates, according to FIG. 8, to
the portion of the instrument system in which a tool, for example a
drill, a milling tool, a screwdriver etc. is supported. Where
appropriate, the instrument 1 also accommodates a gear unit.
Furthermore, the instrument 1 may include a mechanical clutch for
connecting a separate motor unit. As an alternative, the instrument
1 may already be internally/integrally provided with a
pneumatic/hydraulic motor.
The motor unit 2 relates to a usually cartridge-like motor block
which is arranged upstream of the instrument 1. The motor block may
be a separate unit and may optionally be mechanically coupled to
the instrument 1 or to an interposed gear unit (not shown in
detail).
The motor may include a turbine which is adapted to be rotated by
way of compressed air. There may also be provided a
pneumatic/hydraulic cylinder as a motor for an axial movement upon
pressurization.
The handle 4 relates to the portion of the instrument system which
is provided for manual operation of the instrument 1 as well as for
holding the instrument 1. It is equipped with appropriate actuating
means such as actuators for (on-off/amount of actuation-dependent)
actuating an internal/integral valve mechanism 10, locking elements
12 for fluidic and mechanical coupling to the instrument/motor unit
and/or emergency stop switch.
The uncoupled state is the state in which the handle 4 is
disconnected from the instrument/motor unit 1 and 2,
respectively.
The unlocked state is the state in which, although the handle 4 is
coupled to the instrument/motor unit 1 and 2, the clutch is not yet
locked, however, and thus can be easily uncoupled again.
The locked state is the state in which the coupled clutch members
are locked and the clutch thus can be loaded with force.
In FIG. 1a the medical/surgical instrument system preferably of the
pneumatic design is exemplified with a separate motor unit 2, with
the instrument itself not being shown. For this purpose, it is
referred to FIG. 8, however, where the instrument 1 is illustrated
in the form of a rotary milling tool which is coupled already to a
separate motor unit 2 as a drive cell.
In FIG. 1a the male clutch member 8 on the side of the motor unit 2
is visible which axially protrudes from the proximal end face of
the motor unit 2 in the form of a nozzle. The nozzle internally
forms a fluid channel having a fluid outlet in the direction of a
motor turbine (not shown in detail). At the outer circumference of
the nozzle at least one circumferential groove 14 is formed as an
engaging/locking groove.
According to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the handle 4 is composed of an outer
sleeve 16 at the distal axial portion of which the sleeve-shaped
clutch locking element 12 is (integrally) formed or mounted. In a
central portion of the outer sleeve a manually operable actuator 18
is hinged in the form of an actuating lever. In a proximal axial
portion a hose port 20 is formed into which a preferably flexible
pressure hose 22 is mounted preferably according to the Luer-lock
principle. The hose 22 in turn is adapted to be connected to a
pneumatic source 24 indicated in FIG. 8, for example in the form of
a compressor or a stationary pneumatic ring line.
The actuating lever 18 in the present case serves for switching
on-off (opening-closing) the valve mechanism 10 inside the handle 4
for selectively pressurizing the coupled and locked
instrument/motor unit 1 and 2, respectively. It is also imaginable,
however, to actuate the actuating lever 18 in a regulated manner
comparable to a throttle control so as to regulate/control the
supply of compressed air in response to the actuation amount.
At a position which is preferably diametrically opposed to the
actuating lever 18 on the outer sleeve 16 and especially on the
clutch locking element/portion 12 thereof a press switch or press
button 26 is supported to be radially movable.
In FIG. 2 the interior (valve mechanism and regulating/control
valve mechanism) of the handle 4 is shown at a glance. This will be
described in detail hereinafter successively regarding the handle 4
from distal toward proximal with reference to the respective
enlarged representations of FIGS. 3 to 7.
The valve mechanism 10 of the handle 4 according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes a first valve device
28 and second valve device 30 which are axially spaced from each
other. The first valve device 28 is a valve operable exclusively
via the clutch 6 and, resp., the clutch locking element 12 and
preferably being designed as a seat valve, whereas the second valve
device 30 is a valve operable via the actuator/actuating lever 18
and preferably being equally designed as a seat valve.
According to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the first valve device 28 is composed
of a sleeve-shaped valve housing 32 which is supported to be
axially movable in an inner sleeve 34 of the handle 4 which is
relatively movably sheathed by the outer sleeve 16 and, resp., the
clutch locking element 12 and at its distal end face protrudes into
a receiving shaft 36 for the nozzle-type male clutch member 8 on
the side of the instrument/motor unit. At the proximal end face of
the valve housing 32 a mushroom-shaped or spherical valve body 38
is arranged which is biased against the valve housing 32 via a
conical pressure spring 40 and thus axially seals the valve housing
32. The conical pressure spring 40 rests on an annular shoulder at
the inner sleeve 34 of the handle 4.
On the outer circumferential surface of the valve housing 32 at
least one circumferential groove 42 is incorporated as a backup
groove. In the area of the backup groove 42 a detent pin 44 is
provided which is supported to be radially movable in the inner
sleeve 34. At its radially inner end face the detent pin 44 rests
on the circumferential surface of the valve housing 32 and at its
radially outer end face it is guided in an axial crank at the inner
circumference of the clutch locking element 12.
The valve housing 32 and the clutch locking element 12 are adjusted
to each other in terms of construction and position so that, when
the male clutch member 8 is inserted in the receiving shaft 36 of
the female clutch member 6, the inserted nozzle 8 axially displaces
the valve housing 32 against the spring bias of the valve body 38
until the radial detent pin 44 slides into the backup groove 42
and, in so doing, releases the clutch locking element 12 at the
inner crank guide thereof for an axial movement. When, on the other
hand, the nozzle 8 is removed from the receiving shaft 36, the
spring bias by means of the spring 40 axially forces the valve
housing 32 somewhat into the receiving shaft 36, wherein the detent
pin 44 is displaced out of the backup groove 42 radially outwards
and engages in a groove 46 at the inner crank guide of the clutch
locking element 12. Thus, in the uncoupled state of the clutch
members 6, 8 the clutch locking element 12 cannot be axially moved
relative to the inner sleeve 34 of the handle 4 any longer.
In other words, the afore-described mechanism serves for blocking
actuation of the clutch locking element 12 by means of the detent
pin 44 when the nozzle 8 is not inserted in the receiving shaft 36.
The displacement of the valve housing 32 for actuation of the
detent pin 44 constitutes only one constructional variant for this
purpose. It is also imaginable to support the detent pin so that
the latter is actuated directly by the nozzle 8 when the latter is
inserted into the receiving shaft. In this context, also other
constructional solutions are applicable.
Furthermore, in parallel to the detent pin 44 an actuating pin 48
is supported to be radially movable within the inner sleeve 34,
said actuating pin 48 abutting with its inner end face against the
valve body 32 and being received at its radially outer end face in
the crank guide. The latter forms a radially inwards rising ramp in
the area of the actuating pin 48 (cf. especially FIG. 6) such that,
upon displacing the clutch locking element 12 in the distal
direction for locking the clutch members 6, 8, the actuating pin 48
is moved radially inwards and, accordingly, forces the valve body
38 of the first valve device 28 radially away from the valve seat
of the valve housing 32.
In other words, displacing of the clutch locking element 12 from
the unlocking position according to FIG. 2 in the direction of the
locking position e.g. according to FIG. 4 automatically and, resp.,
forcedly causes the first valve device 28 to be mechanically opened
via the actuating pin 48.
As is further evident from FIG. 2, the actuating lever 18 is
axially moved along, as it is hinged to the outer (movable) sleeve
16, during axial movement of the clutch locking element 12 as a
distal portion of the outer sleeve 16 relative to the inner sleeve
34. That is, the actuating lever 18 automatically/forcedly varies
its axial position relative to the inner sleeve 34 upon actuation
of the clutch locking element 12.
The actuating lever 18 includes an axially extending recess or
notch (blind hole) 50 on its lower side facing the outer sleeve 16.
In said axial area a further actuating pin 52 is supported to be
radially movable in the inner sleeve 16. The position of the lever
18 relative to the further actuating pin 52 is adjusted so that in
an unlocking position of the clutch locking element 12 (cf. FIG. 2)
the lever 18 adopts a relative position in which the further
actuating pin 52 radially protrudes into the notch 50. That is to
say, when in said relative position the lever 18 is pivoted toward
the outside of the outer sleeve 16, the further actuating pin 52
freely immerses into the recess/notch 50 at the lever 18 without
being radially displaced by the lever 18. Pivoting of the lever 18
thus is ineffective, as indicated in FIG. 2, for example.
When, on the other hand, the clutch locking element 12 is axially
displaced to the (active) locking position thereof, the lever 18
automatically moves along. Accordingly, the further actuating pin
52 gets out of the area of the lever-side recess/notch 50, as
indicated, for example, in FIG. 4. When in such axial relative
position the lever 18 is pivoted towards the outer sleeve 16, it
forces the further actuating pin 52 radially inwards.
Radially inside of the further actuating pin 52 the second valve
device 30 is provided which is composed of a sleeve-type valve
housing 54 at the proximal end face of which a spherical or
mushroom-shaped valve body 56 is arranged, the latter being axially
forced against an end-side valve seat at the valve housing 54 by
means of a (conical) spring 58. The valve body 56 is positioned
exactly radially beneath the further actuating pin 52 such that,
upon displacement thereof to the radial inside, the valve body 56
is forced away from the valve seat and thus opens the second valve
device 30.
Finally, in the area of the clutch locking element 12 the actuating
button or the key 26 is supported to be radially movable at the
outer sleeve 16.
The actuating head 26 includes an actuating finger or tappet 60
which abuts against a detent 62 pivotally supported on the inner
sleeve 34. The detent 62 is biased by means of a spring 64 radially
outwards against the outer sleeve 16 which in the area of the
clutch actuating element/portion 12 includes at least two,
preferably 3 axially spaced internal bores pos. 1 to pos. 3 in
which the detent 62 engages, depending on the axial position of the
outer sleeve 16 relative to the inner sleeve 34, in a spring-biased
manner and thus fixes the adopted axial position.
The three axially spaced inner bores pos. 1 to pos. 3 relate to the
individual actuating positions of the clutch locking element, as
will be described in the following:
The internal bore pos. 1 relates, according to FIG. 6, to the
actuating position in which the coupled clutch members 6, 8 are
locked by means of the clutch locking element 12 and, at the same
time, the first valve device 26 is opened and the second valve
device 30 is enabled. This position is referred to as active
locking position.
The internal bore pos. 3 relates, according to FIG. 7, to the
actuating position in which the coupled clutch members 6, 8 are
locked by means of the clutch locking element 12 and, at the same
time, the first valve device 26 is opened and the second valve
device 30 is not enabled, however. That is, the further actuating
pin 52 is still provided inside the recess/notch 50 in the case of
pivoting of the lever 18. This position is referred to as a passive
locking position, as the clutch is locked but the valve mechanism
10 cannot be actuated. The passive locking position optionally also
constitutes the position which, upon pressing the actuating button
26 while coming from the active locking position, is adopted
preferably automatically by an axial spring bias so as to interrupt
the compressed air supply in the case of emergency without the
lever 18 having to be released. The passive locking position
therefore can also be referred to as emergency stop position.
The internal bore pos. 2 relates, according to FIG. 2, to the
actuating position in which the clutch members 6, 8 are unlocked,
wherein the first valve device 26 is closed and the second valve
device 30 is not enabled.
It is outlined in this context that the internal bore pos. 3
represents an optional advantageous measure. The handle 4 according
to the invention theoretically could execute its basic functions
even without said internal bore. It is further referred to the fact
that all those features that have been listed at the beginning of
the description concerning the prior art which is to be further
developed according to the invention are technically materialized
also in the present invention so that the repeated description
thereof can be renounced here.
Hereinafter the function of the medical handle according to the
invention and, resp., of the medical instrument system according to
the invention will be described in detail.
At first, the pressure hose 22 including the handle 4 mounted
thereon is connected to the compressed medium source 24 so that the
handle 4 is pressurized immediately thereafter. In this phase, the
outer sleeve 16 is displaced relative to the inner sleeve 34 of the
handle 4 in the proximal direction, wherein the detent 62 is
engaged in a spring-biased manner in the internal bore pos. 2 at
the clutch locking element 12. Thus, the handle 4 adopts the
unlocking position in which the first valve device 28 is closed and
the second valve device 30 is not enabled. Moreover, this position
is fixed by the detent pin 44 which is forced radially outwards
into the internal groove 46 of the clutch locking element 12 via
the valve housing 32 of the first valve device 28. In this
operating position, the clutch locking element 12 cannot be axially
displaced. Although actuation of the lever 18 is possible, it is
ineffective as the further actuating pin 52 would immerse into the
recess/notch 50 at the lever 18 and therefore cannot be axially
displaced.
Even if the lever 18 was pivoted away from the outer sleeve 16 or
broken off so that direct manual actuation of the further actuating
pin 52 would be possible, the functional safety can be continued to
be guaranteed, as the first valve device 28 is closed in any
case.
As soon as the instrument 1 or the separate motor unit (drive cell)
2 thereof is inserted via the clutch nozzles 8 thereof into the
receiving shaft 36 of the handle-side clutch 6, the valve housing
32 of the first valve device 28 is axially displaced, wherein the
detent pin 44 slides out of the internal groove 46 of the clutch
locking element 12 into the backup groove 42 at the valve housing
32 and in this way releases the clutch locking element 12 for
manual axial displacement thereof. Now the clutch locking element
12 may be axially displaced in the distal direction until the
detent 62 pivoted on the inner sleeve 34 engages in the internal
bore pos. 2 and the outer sleeve 16 fixes the clutch locking
element 12 in the active locking position.
In this position, the actuating pin 4 of the first valve device 28
is displaced radially inwards from the clutch locking element 12
and forces the valve body 38 of the first valve device 28 away from
the valve seat. The first valve device thus is opened. At the same
time, the actuating lever/actuator 18 is displaced in the distal
direction such that the further actuating pin 52 of the second
valve device 30 gets out of the area of the recess/notch 50 in the
lever 18. When now the lever 18 is pivoted against the outer sleeve
16 of the handle 4, the lever 18 abuts on the radially outer end
face of the further actuating pin 52. With further pivoting of the
actuating lever 18 the further actuating pin 52 moves radially
inwards and forces the valve body 56 of the second valve device 30
away from the valve seat thereof. In this way, also the second
valve device 30 is opened and the instrument/motor unit is
pressurized with pressurizing medium.
The second valve device may be an open-closed valve or a regulating
valve which regulates the amount of pressurized medium per time
unit in response to the actuating degree of the lever 18.
Alternatively to the shown seat valve, for the second valve device,
but also for the first valve device where necessary, a slide valve
is imaginable.
In order to be able to uncouple the instrument again at first the
lever 18 has to be released, wherein the second valve device
closes. Hereupon the press button 26 is pressed so that the
detent/engaging pawl disengages from the internal bore pos. 2 at
the outer sleeve 16 and, resp., at the clutch locking element 12
and releases the clutch locking element 12 for an unlocking
movement. When the clutch locking element 12 is then displaced
axially in the proximal direction, the detent 62 engages in the
internal bore pos. 1 upon reaching the uncoupling position and
there fixes the clutch locking element 12. In this position, the
actuating pin 48 is released and the valve body 38 has returned to
its valve seat. Hence the first valve device 28 is closed.
If now the nozzle 8 of the instrument/motor unit 2 is removed from
the receiving shaft 36, the valve housing 32 of the first valve
device 28 moves somewhat into the receiving shaft 32 while being
spring-biased and, accordingly, forces the detent pin 44 into the
inner groove 46 at the clutch locking element 12. In this way, the
clutch locking element 12 is axially locked so that the first valve
device 28 cannot be opened any longer.
In a case of emergency with the lever 18 being actuated, the press
button 26 can be pressed whereupon the detent 62 is forced out of
the internal bore pos. 2 and the clutch locking element 12 is moved
in the proximal direction possibly automatically by suitable axial
spring bias (not shown in detail) or by manual displacement, until
the detent 62 snaps into the (axially central) internal bore pos. 3
while being spring-biased and there fixes the clutch locking
element 12. In this actuating position (passive locking position)
the clutch continues to be locked, but the lever 18 is displaced
relative to the inner sleeve 34 so far that the further actuating
pin 52 already slides into the recess/notch 50 at the lever 18 and
therefore no longer can be displaced via the lever.
Finally, it may be referred to the clutch locking mechanism which
can be actuated by the clutch locking element 12.
In the simplest case, the clutch locking mechanism according to
FIG. 3a, 3b or 5a, 5b, for example, is the arrangement of plural
(preferably four) engaging elements 70 (balls, pins etc.) which are
supported to be radially movable in radial bores on the inner
sleeve 34 which in turn are spaced apart in the circumferential
direction. Said engaging elements 70 are spring-biased radially
inwards and somewhat protrude into the receiving shaft 32.
When thus the nozzle 8 is inserted into the receiving shaft 32 at
the instrument/motor unit 2, the engaging elements 70 are first
displaced radially outwards and finally snap into the groove 14 at
the nozzle 8 while being spring-biased.
In this operating position, the nozzle 8 is held ready in the
receiving shaft 32, wherein the clutch connection is not loadable
with force, however. That is, the nozzle 8 can be removed from the
receiving shaft 32 again while overcoming the spring bias onto the
engaging elements 70. However, as soon as the clutch locking
element 12 has been displaced in the distal direction, it
encompasses the engaging elements at the outer circumference of the
inner sleeve 34 and, in this way, suppresses a displacing movement
of the engaging element 70 radially outwards. Now the clutch is
locked.
* * * * *